A 23-item self-report measure designed to assess psychological responses to stressful life events. The measure is based on the Horowitz Impact of Events Scale and was initially modified to assess Intrusion and Avoidance symptoms based on DSM-III-R criteria. The scale was recently modified to include assessment of Arousal and to update the items with regard to DSM-IV criteria.

Training

Training to Interpret:

Prior Experience Psych Testing/Interpretation

Parallel/Alternate Forms

Parallel Form:

No

Alternate Form:

No

Different Age Forms:

No

Altered Version Forms:

Yes

Describe Alternative Forms:

The CRTES is based on the Horowitz Impact of Events Scale. The scale, originally called the HIES-C, was revised to make items more appropriate for children. Later revisions were conducted to update the scale with respect to DSM-IV criteria. The difference between the CRTES (15 items), and theCRTES-Revised (23 items) appears to be the addition of 8 items that assess for Arousal symptoms (consistent with DSM-IV criteria).

There are no reliability data for the current 23-item CRTES-R. However, given that the difference between this and the earlier CRTES is the addition of 8 items to tap Arousal, it is likely that the scales share reliability at least with regard to Avoidance and Intrusion scales.

Reliability data for the original 15-item CRTES are as follows:1. Jones, Fletcher, & Ribbe (2003) reported alphas for a sample of 167 children between the ages of 4 and 20 years who had experienced residential fires: Total Scale=.86, Avoidance=.77, Intrusion=.85.

The following reliability data have been reported for the HIES-C:1. Jones, Ribbe, & Cunningham (1993) reported alphas for a sample of children who had experienced a hurricane: Total Scale=.85, Avoidance=.72, Intrusion=.84.

The CRTES is based on the Horowitz Impact of Events Scale. The scale, originally called the HIES-C, was revised to make items more appropriate for children. Later revisions were conducted to update the scale with respect to DSM-IV criteria. The difference between the CRTES (15 items), and the CRTES-Revised (23 items) appears to be the addition of 8 items that assess for Arousal symptoms (consistent with DSM-IV criteria).

References for Construct Validity:

This is a relatively new measure that is still under construction, and psychometrics are being gathered within the context of an NIMH-funded study.For an earlier version of the measure, the authors reported that symptomatology as assessed using the HIES-C was associated with degree of perceived danger

and life threat (Jones, Ribbe, Cunningham, & Weddle, 1993).Jones et al. (2003): Data collected, using the 15-item CRTES with 167 children who had experienced residential fires, were subjected to a principle axis factor analysis with a varimax rotation followed by a promax rotation revealed.

The analyses revealed the presence of 2 factors based on a screen plot. Factors accounted for 46.54% of the variance and were labeled as follows: 1) Intrusion (35.49% of variance), and 2) Avoidance (11.04% of the variance). The authors reasoned that lower variance may have been found for Avoidance due to the difficulty children have in reporting these symptoms. The factor analysis supports the distinction between the avoidance and intrusion scales of the CRTES, although there was considerable overlap of loadings on both factors and two items failed to load on either factor above 0.40.

A higher order factor analysis resulted in a single factor, providing support that the measure assesses a single PTSD dimension. Boys and girls did not differ on their total CRTES scores or on the Avoidance subscale, but girls scored significantly higher than did boys on Intrusion. Child’s age was not correlated with total or subscale scores.

Criterion Validity:

References for Criterion Validity:

Sensitivity and Specificity were determined through an ROC analysis with total CRTES scores compared to diagnosis based on the DICA. A cutoff of 29 or above for the 15 items was identified as having good Sensitivity (83.3%) and Specificity (70.5%).

Overall Psychometric Limitations:

1. While earlier versions of the measure have been researched with data showing evidence of reliability, the current version has no published data in peer-reviewed journal articles.2. As noted above, additional psychometrics are being gathered through an NIMH-funded study.

Translation Quality

Language(s) Other Than English:

Language:

Translated

Back Translated

Reliable

Good Psychometrics

Similar Factor Structure

Norms Available

Measure Developed for this Group

1. Spanish

Yes

Population Information

Population Used For Measure Development:

Information regarding the development of the current 23-item CRTES was not available. The 15-item CRTES was used with 167 children aged 4-20 who had experienced residential fires.

Most were aged 8-16; only two were below the age of 6.

Of the 145 for whom gender information was available, 76 (52.4%) were girls and 69 (47.6%) were boys (Jones, Fletcher, & Ribbe, 2003). No other data regarding demographics or SES were available.

Measure has demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity in which populations?:

Natural Disaster

Accidents

Pros & Cons/References

Pros:

1. The measure is based on a well-known measure for assessing PTSD symptomatology in adults.2. An earlier version has been used with children who have experienced fires. Few other measures have been used for this specific trauma group.3. Preliminary psychometrics for the 15-item measure are promising with regard to Specificity and Sensitivity.4. There is a Spanish version of the measure.5. The measure is free.6. The measure is brief.

Cons:

1. The measure has recently been altered to assess for symptoms of Arousal, consistent with the DSM-IV. While this change is potentially useful, additional psychometrics are needed on the reliability and validity of this altered version. In addition, the original version has not been widely used or researched. Research is needed on test-retest reliability and convergent and discriminant validity with other PTSD measures.

2. The measure has not been widely used compared to other trauma symptom measures.

3. The items appear to be asking about symptomatology with regard to one specific event. Although this is a common feature of many trauma questionnaires, this may be problematic for children who have experienced multiple traumas.

4. While the measure is said to be for children aged 6-18, younger children may have difficulty with the wording and with concepts assessed. Research is needed to determine the extent to which younger children comprehend the items and are able to report on these internal experiences using these questions.

Author Comments :

Since the measure is currently undergoing psychometric evaluation, the author requests that users share their results with his lab. The author provided feedback on this review, which was integrated.

References:

A PsychInfo search (7/05) of "Child's Reaction to Traumatic Events Scale" or “CRTES” anywhere revealed that it has been referenced in 7 peer-reviewed articles. The articles are listed below.